in what world

USAGE SUMMARY

"in what world" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used as an informal way of expressing disbelief or incredulity, such as "In what world would that have been considered acceptable behaviour?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

In what world is that reasonable?

The New York Times

"I am not interested in what World Vision says".

The New York Times

In what world could she function at all?

The New Yorker

In what world could the police have done anything else?

The New York Times

In what world does Simone Finn – who? – deserve a peerage?

The Guardian - Opinion

In what world, if any, was Hurston ever at home?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

In what possible world are Tang, Moss and Fergie besties?

The Guardian

In what news world is that not a bombshell?

The Washington Post

In Depth: What The World Drinks.

Forbes

Like.. what in the world, right?! WHAT IS MY LIFE.

Huffington Post

People like to find out what really happens in the world, what is the truth about".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in what world" to express disbelief or challenge assumptions. It's effective for highlighting the absurdity of a statement or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "in what world" in formal or technical writing where a direct, objective tone is required. Opt for more neutral phrasing to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in what world" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express disbelief, skepticism, or incredulity. Ludwig AI confirms its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in what world" is a common idiom used to express disbelief or challenge the validity of a statement or situation. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically sound and frequently used, predominantly in news and media outlets, and to a lesser extent, in academic contexts. While versatile in informal settings, it's important to consider the audience and purpose before using it in formal or professional writing, where a more objective tone is often preferred. Alternatives like "under what circumstances" or "how could that be" may offer a more nuanced approach to expressing skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what reality is that

Similar to the original phrase but emphasizes questioning the specific reality being referred to.

is that even possible

Directly questions the feasibility or possibility of a situation.

how could that be

Expresses surprise and disbelief, directly questioning the possibility of something.

how can that be true

Challenges the veracity or accuracy of a statement.

under what circumstances

Focuses on the specific conditions that would make something possible or acceptable, rather than questioning the entire premise.

by what logic

Challenges the reasoning or justification behind a statement or action.

where is the sense in that

Questions the rationality or reasonableness of something.

can you imagine

Invites the listener to consider the unlikelihood or absurdity of a situation.

what is the basis for that

Asks for the underlying reason or foundation for a claim or action.

how is that justifiable

Questions the ethical or moral basis of something.

FAQs

How can I use "in what world" in a sentence?

You can use "in what world" to express disbelief or challenge a premise, such as "In what world is it acceptable to treat others with disrespect?"

What's a less confrontational alternative to "in what world"?

Consider using phrases like "under what circumstances" or "how could that be" to soften the tone while still expressing doubt.

Is "in what world" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "in what world" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, opt for more objective and neutral language.

What's the difference between "in what world" and "what reality is that"?

"In what world" broadly questions the plausibility of a situation, while "what reality is that" specifically challenges the perceived reality being presented.